Blue Jays will need to get creative at trade deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays will need to get creative as the trade deadline looms if they are going to improve the squad for the future.

Ross Atkins and company may have to think outside the box in the coming days as they prepare to sell off their assets for a rebuild. The Jays have some unorthodox situations involving the likes of Roberto Osuna, Josh Donaldson and then the financial implications tied to Russell Martin and the oft-injured Troy Tulowitzki.

J.A. Happ being dealt is a no-brainer and he easily garners the best return however what do the Jays do with Roberto Osuna. Nobody knows if the brain trust will welcome him back into the fold on August 04th and if they don’t then they are attempting to sell at an all-time low. Osuna is an elite, controllable closer however domestic assault charges don’t bode well for his trade value.

Then there is the Josh Donaldson debacle after it was announced he suffered a setback and would be re-evaluated in three weeks. The Jays may be better suited offering J.D. a qualifying offers in hopes he turns it down. The Jays would then at least be awarded a draft pick from the signing team. Donaldson may also accept the one-year offer in an attempt to rebuild his free agent value for the coming offseason especially seeing how the free agent climate has been the past couple of years.

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Russell Martin has one-year remaining at $20 million but has struggled mightily with the stick this season. The Jays have Danny Jansen waiting in the wings in Triple-A to take over the reigns from the 35-year old backstop. Jeff Blair of the Fan590 mentioned recently there were National League teams interested in Martin during the offseason however it is safe to assume the Jays would need to absorb at least half of the $20 big ones owing for 2019.

Troy Tulowitzki is a case all on its own as the aging shortstop is still sidelined with heal issues and has not seen a lick of action this entire season. Tulo is owed $38 million if you include his $4 million dollar buyout for the 2021 campaign. I realize we witnessed the Vernon Wells contract get moved but Tulo is dead weight and it is hard to fathom any team wanting to take on that fiscal responsibility. At the end of the day, we just may see Tulowitzki get released and the Jays swallow the loss.

Don’t forget the $12 million owing to Kendrys Morales for next season and although he has picked it up of late boosting his average to a somewhat respectable .241, there won’t be many teams banging on the Jays door for his services. Perhaps the Jays can package him in the Happ deal for a lesser return to free up the money.

Next: Blue Jays: Anthony Alford falling off radar in Triple-A

Interesting times in Jays land but expect Ross Atkins to get creative as he attempts to pull a rabbit out of his hat before July 31st.